[Well, if that didn't send a jolt of arousal and warmth through him, then nothing would. He's blessed that Hythlodaeus would mercifully put him in the water, that the buoyancy hides the fuller effect that kiss, lift, and threat has on him.
The sigh and slight shudder to it could be from the heat of the water, and how relaxing it is over his skin, but truly it's from Hythlodaeus' words. The cloudiness of his mind as his mounting arousal tortures him. And it does torture him! To be so emotionally vulnerable, to be held so lovingly, to be cared for like this, doted upon...appreciated...
It makes his very soul mourn the man before him, as if it weren't already, but ever more does it now. Unbidden he places his hand on Hythlodaeus' arm, his pale eyes seeking Hythlodaeus' own as he wordlessly speaks the affection and love they both know, they both feel. It takes everything within him to keep from pulling the man forward, to keep from capturing his lips with his own.
...to keep from reaching down and grabbing the evidence of their shared arousal made all the more clear from his new position in the water.]
I shall be certain to do just that. Little would I wish for you to feel so compelled to take me so.
[He doesn’t bother hiding his arousal as he moves behind him to an end of the bath. He dips his hands in the water and lathers them, wasting no time in taking his muscles into his hands. ]
[ It is only from his vantage point that he properly notes the exit wound scar. He does not ask, as he already knows. He works his bunched muscle with his strong hands, chewing his lip as he steals a glance from over Hades’ shoulder.]
[He considers how long he’s willing to wait for this.]
...One week. I would like to hear how this unfolds by then.
[It's almost pathetic how easily he melts into Hythlodaeus' hands, large and strong that they are. Soft, though with the characteristic calluses he knows him to have. An artist, obvious to any with a lick of sense, but even after the passing of ages, he's never forgotten the feel of his hands upon his body. How could he, when they're the most natural thing in the world to him. Upon the same level of eating and breathing.
So lost is he to the sensation and familiarity that he very nearly misses the deadline, and even then his mind is enraptured in the burning heat in his groin, the prickle of bumps across his skin as those hands work him just right, and the sight of Hythlodaeus' arousal. It's a few good beats later that it clicks, and he visibly jolts, turning to look at his masseuse.]
[Helplessly he shudders, feeling Hythlodaeus' breath on his ear is enough to make him squirm, but the words spoken to him cause a conflicting rise of irritation--but with his continued arousal that merely...conflates the two. How frustrating.
Closing his eyes, he attempts to maintain control over himself, tries to will an argument into his mind, but it is far more difficult than it has the right to be.
Difficult, but not impossible.]
...Nay, I do not think he will be against it, nor that it will take more than a week for us to sleep together again. Moreover, my hesitance to such a short window is prudent and precautionary both. I cannot predict the future, nor what forestalling there may yet be.
My, my... You sound a little unconfident in your ability to pull off such a simple scheme.
[He punctuates this playful jab with a firm squeeze to his neck and shoulder, gently stretching it to the side.]
Very well. Merely update me on your attempt or progress.
[He swaps sides to stretch the other side, contemplating his posture for a moment.]
Nevertheless, I would hear your advice for speaking with him. He has a peculiar rigidity to him that I do not quite understand how to navigate without acquiescing entirely.
[He's retort to the first bit a whole lot faster if not for that squeeze and tilt. Honestly, it's so relaxing that he nearly lets the jab go entirely—he doesn't, however. Instead, he waits till Hythlodaeus is quite finished with what he has to say, and that other tilt and stretch of his neck and shoulders.
Taking a exact moment it finishes to glance back at him.]
First off all, Hythlodaeus, were I operating under normal circumstances, I would not question my ability to make a man lust after the taste of my loins, but let me remind you that mere moments ago I was made to weep upon your chest like a babe fresh from the womb.
[In other words, he really isn't wanting to rush or press something that could possibly be a problem when right now he wants stability. His emotional state, his general state of being is not at its best, and he'd like a chance to recover before being put to some test that is far more a benefit to Hythlodaeus' own ego, than Hades himself.
Call him selfish, or hypocritical, but he'd like a little peace for once.]
As for your embarrassing floundering when dealing with Dirk, you and he suffer the same problem. Well, problems, really.
[As he continues, he gestures with his hands, as he is wont to do.]
Both of you want control of all aspects of any given situation. Both of you do not pick up on certain social cues, not to mention your stubborn streaks when either of you believe your position to be infallible, which is absurdly often. These alone are damning, but where you lack in true emotional affect, he is particularly emotionally susceptible. You do not frustrate nor fray, while he frays all too easily.
You threaten his sense of security being how you are, and while I would not say that you should lie down and concede, you must needs be gentle. However, he is a proud man, much of his accomplishments he has done more or less on his own, and a fragile heart makes for a fragile ego, and he will not suffer being pitied. This would insult his integrity.
[Finally he sighs, turning his face away from Hythlodaeus as he rubs at his temple, eyes slipping closed.]
In short: you must be clever in your approach, this is a perilous path to tread if you do not know how to appease a man's ego without sacrificing your own dignity in the same breath. He needs not be trampled, but lead, and the less he knows of the leash the better. He has suffered in solitude, but used it as his shield for far too long.
[And well does he know how it can both protect and harm you. How believing yourself the only voice of reason, the only right one in the room can make it difficult to hear the voices of others.
Damn, maybe Hythlodaeus was right about him projecting a little bit. No matter.]
He does not trust easy, and attempting to wrest control from him is only going to force him to shut you out all the more.
I suppose I could have gleaned much of that in retrospect, but ever do I love to hear you talk and put these things together. I would hate to deprive myself of the pleasure otherwise. [he sighs, taking up a cupped handful of water to wet his hair.]
Very well, I shall rethink my approach. Or rather, regress to a previous approach. It was far more successful.
[Which, hilariously, was neither in person nor included much in the way of words. When they had spoken over text... and after that scuffle on the chalkboard...]
Ah. I must ask, might you know the source or nature of his aversion to the color green?
[After that lengthy explanation, Hades was allowing himself to bask in Hythlodaeus' doting once more, letting his eyes close as he wets his hair and talks. His mouth quirking into a smile at the gentle compliment, though his eyebrows raise a little at Hythlodaeus' comment on his more successful approach.
Idly, he wonders if it has to do with the horse drawings. Dirk ever was an appreciator of the arts. He'd have to be, if he were to be Hades' lover, after all. But then Hythlodaeus' question actually makes him open his eyes and look at him, his eyes scanning over Hythlodaeus for a long moment—then it clicks.]
...Ah. There is a man from Dirk's past whom favors the color. Mayhap it serves as a sore reminder of him. Why do you ask?
You are surely aware of the orange he uses to send messages. He had inspired me to do the same, though it seemed to only agitate him.
[He folds a towel and places it over the edge of the bath as a makeshift pillow. He guides Hades' neck over it before he pours a generous amount of shampoo into his hands both to clean and act as a lubricant for impending the scalp massage. He works his fingers into his hair, openly and softly staring down at him, tracing the less familiar parts of it with his eyes.]
...Perhaps I should cease this, if the reminder is too sore?
[Is his soft reply, but it could just as well be a reaction to the massaging of his scalp. It's hard to keep his eyes open as Hythlodaeus works his deft fingers through his hair, rubbing away tension that might have otherwise seemed impossible. Giving in, he does close his eyes, his expression relaxing under Hythlodaeus' ministrations.]
The color is rather similar. [He remarks a little flatly.] It may be best to avoid its use. For now, at least. Little does he need to be coddled so, but if we are to help him in any way, our approach must be gentle, yet implacable.
[He gives a confirming hum to that. It might not, though if Hythlodaeus were to use his soul's color, it's a color far closer to someone else that Dirk is familiar with, though their relationship isn't exactly what one might call friendly. It certainly had its benefits...to a degree, but.
That last comment makes him peek one eye open to stare at Hythlodaeus with.]
...'Tis pointless to bring that up. That young man has long since ceased to be. Better to forget about him.
Oh come now, he’s still in there. No matter how flamboyant or curmudgeonly you’ve tried to craft your mask... I saw a bit of him that first night I arrived with that entire group.
[ With a not so subtle reference exactly when he can see it— ]
I doubt you’ve done away with your romantic nature in any case, I doubt you’re even able.
[For a still moment he watches him with that one eye, up until he implies at what moment he saw that younger version of himself. That's when he closes that eye, acting as if he's ignoring him completely. Or, maybe he's just relaxing.
Who knows!]
...Ever am I a romantic, even if the passing of eons have indeed changed me. You will just have to accept that fact.
[Nope, looks like he's not actually ignoring him.]
And I have always been flamboyant. In my own ways, the mortal world has merely granted me room to spread my wings, in a manner of speaking.
Come now, you made such sweet sounds then. I merely look forward to the day you might make them again for me. What tender bliss, you sounded like you did that lifetime ago in the dormitories.
[ He gives him a wide, hammy grin as he rubs his temples. ]
...That is right, isn’t it? Surely you would have donned a more ostentatious frock too, if it were a bit more accepted to do so. What might be your favorite part? The fur, the hammered gold, or perhaps that bright red scarf?
[He scowls, opening his eyes once more to get an eyeful of that hammy grin. Though, the temple rubbing certainly disrupts the threatening look, soothing it to mild irritation at worst.
After a moment, his expression settles into something less irritable, and he lets his eyes close once more. Quietly:]
[The kiss to the forehead is a nice touch, nice enough of one to smooth out his brow the rest of the way. At the suggestion of feathers, the corner of his mouth curls upward.]
Oh? Well, I am no god, no more than you yourself are one. But I will not deny that feathers certainly look handsome on me.
...I do suppose comparatively speaking one might mistake me as one, but truly...I am not so arrogant to claim such a title. Lord of the Underworld is quite enough.
[Humble as ever, huh? The compliment gets shrugged off easily enough, as is his wont, but the mention of a feather vest, well...]
Now, do you mean a vest made of feathers, or one simply adorned with them? I confess, one sounds far more appealing than the other.
[And that’s clearly just a little light-hearted teasing. He makes a thoughtful sound, weighing the options.]
I suppose I’ll have to make it to show you. Yet I cannot imagine it would be very comfortable to merely wear tied together feathers... plus the diminished structural stability!
Believe it or not, I can be quite humble, and not merely in mummery.
[He quips back with an amused snort.]
Wishing to indulge in some tailoring, hm? I suppose the Chief of the Bureau of the Architect would do well in such a profession pursuit. [a momentary pause] I would not oppose a cape. They are often handsome.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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The sigh and slight shudder to it could be from the heat of the water, and how relaxing it is over his skin, but truly it's from Hythlodaeus' words. The cloudiness of his mind as his mounting arousal tortures him. And it does torture him! To be so emotionally vulnerable, to be held so lovingly, to be cared for like this, doted upon...appreciated...
It makes his very soul mourn the man before him, as if it weren't already, but ever more does it now. Unbidden he places his hand on Hythlodaeus' arm, his pale eyes seeking Hythlodaeus' own as he wordlessly speaks the affection and love they both know, they both feel. It takes everything within him to keep from pulling the man forward, to keep from capturing his lips with his own.
...to keep from reaching down and grabbing the evidence of their shared arousal made all the more clear from his new position in the water.]
I shall be certain to do just that. Little would I wish for you to feel so compelled to take me so.
[That's a fucking lie, but...]
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[He doesn’t bother hiding his arousal as he moves behind him to an end of the bath. He dips his hands in the water and lathers them, wasting no time in taking his muscles into his hands. ]
[ It is only from his vantage point that he properly notes the exit wound scar. He does not ask, as he already knows. He works his bunched muscle with his strong hands, chewing his lip as he steals a glance from over Hades’ shoulder.]
[He considers how long he’s willing to wait for this.]
...One week. I would like to hear how this unfolds by then.
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So lost is he to the sensation and familiarity that he very nearly misses the deadline, and even then his mind is enraptured in the burning heat in his groin, the prickle of bumps across his skin as those hands work him just right, and the sight of Hythlodaeus' arousal. It's a few good beats later that it clicks, and he visibly jolts, turning to look at his masseuse.]
...a week is awful hasty, would you not agree?
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...Unless you believe that he will become so incensed by the mere broach of topic that it will yield unfavorable results.
[ He says softly, all the while leaning unnecessarily close to Hades ear. ]
Or if it would be unnatural for you to sleep together in that timeframe. I’ve ever been one to uphold scientific integrity, after all.
[ And his massage is relentless as ever. It seems that he’s trying to make Hades go limp in compensation.]
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Closing his eyes, he attempts to maintain control over himself, tries to will an argument into his mind, but it is far more difficult than it has the right to be.
Difficult, but not impossible.]
...Nay, I do not think he will be against it, nor that it will take more than a week for us to sleep together again. Moreover, my hesitance to such a short window is prudent and precautionary both. I cannot predict the future, nor what forestalling there may yet be.
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[He punctuates this playful jab with a firm squeeze to his neck and shoulder, gently stretching it to the side.]
Very well. Merely update me on your attempt or progress.
[He swaps sides to stretch the other side, contemplating his posture for a moment.]
Nevertheless, I would hear your advice for speaking with him. He has a peculiar rigidity to him that I do not quite understand how to navigate without acquiescing entirely.
no subject
Taking a exact moment it finishes to glance back at him.]
First off all, Hythlodaeus, were I operating under normal circumstances, I would not question my ability to make a man lust after the taste of my loins, but let me remind you that mere moments ago I was made to weep upon your chest like a babe fresh from the womb.
[In other words, he really isn't wanting to rush or press something that could possibly be a problem when right now he wants stability. His emotional state, his general state of being is not at its best, and he'd like a chance to recover before being put to some test that is far more a benefit to Hythlodaeus' own ego, than Hades himself.
Call him selfish, or hypocritical, but he'd like a little peace for once.]
As for your embarrassing floundering when dealing with Dirk, you and he suffer the same problem. Well, problems, really.
[As he continues, he gestures with his hands, as he is wont to do.]
Both of you want control of all aspects of any given situation. Both of you do not pick up on certain social cues, not to mention your stubborn streaks when either of you believe your position to be infallible, which is absurdly often. These alone are damning, but where you lack in true emotional affect, he is particularly emotionally susceptible. You do not frustrate nor fray, while he frays all too easily.
You threaten his sense of security being how you are, and while I would not say that you should lie down and concede, you must needs be gentle. However, he is a proud man, much of his accomplishments he has done more or less on his own, and a fragile heart makes for a fragile ego, and he will not suffer being pitied. This would insult his integrity.
[Finally he sighs, turning his face away from Hythlodaeus as he rubs at his temple, eyes slipping closed.]
In short: you must be clever in your approach, this is a perilous path to tread if you do not know how to appease a man's ego without sacrificing your own dignity in the same breath. He needs not be trampled, but lead, and the less he knows of the leash the better. He has suffered in solitude, but used it as his shield for far too long.
[And well does he know how it can both protect and harm you. How believing yourself the only voice of reason, the only right one in the room can make it difficult to hear the voices of others.
Damn, maybe Hythlodaeus was right about him projecting a little bit. No matter.]
He does not trust easy, and attempting to wrest control from him is only going to force him to shut you out all the more.
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Very well, I shall rethink my approach. Or rather, regress to a previous approach. It was far more successful.
[Which, hilariously, was neither in person nor included much in the way of words. When they had spoken over text... and after that scuffle on the chalkboard...]
Ah. I must ask, might you know the source or nature of his aversion to the color green?
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Idly, he wonders if it has to do with the horse drawings. Dirk ever was an appreciator of the arts. He'd have to be, if he were to be Hades' lover, after all. But then Hythlodaeus' question actually makes him open his eyes and look at him, his eyes scanning over Hythlodaeus for a long moment—then it clicks.]
...Ah. There is a man from Dirk's past whom favors the color. Mayhap it serves as a sore reminder of him. Why do you ask?
no subject
[He folds a towel and places it over the edge of the bath as a makeshift pillow. He guides Hades' neck over it before he pours a generous amount of shampoo into his hands both to clean and act as a lubricant for impending the scalp massage. He works his fingers into his hair, openly and softly staring down at him, tracing the less familiar parts of it with his eyes.]
...Perhaps I should cease this, if the reminder is too sore?
no subject
[Is his soft reply, but it could just as well be a reaction to the massaging of his scalp. It's hard to keep his eyes open as Hythlodaeus works his deft fingers through his hair, rubbing away tension that might have otherwise seemed impossible. Giving in, he does close his eyes, his expression relaxing under Hythlodaeus' ministrations.]
The color is rather similar. [He remarks a little flatly.] It may be best to avoid its use. For now, at least. Little does he need to be coddled so, but if we are to help him in any way, our approach must be gentle, yet implacable.
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I doubt that would bring him much comfort.
[He shrugs to himself and lets out a little huff. ]
A bit like you as a young man.
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That last comment makes him peek one eye open to stare at Hythlodaeus with.]
...'Tis pointless to bring that up. That young man has long since ceased to be. Better to forget about him.
[beat]
But yes I suppose so.
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Oh come now, he’s still in there. No matter how flamboyant or curmudgeonly you’ve tried to craft your mask... I saw a bit of him that first night I arrived with that entire group.
[ With a not so subtle reference exactly when he can see it— ]
I doubt you’ve done away with your romantic nature in any case, I doubt you’re even able.
no subject
Who knows!]
...Ever am I a romantic, even if the passing of eons have indeed changed me. You will just have to accept that fact.
[Nope, looks like he's not actually ignoring him.]
And I have always been flamboyant. In my own ways, the mortal world has merely granted me room to spread my wings, in a manner of speaking.
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[ He gives him a wide, hammy grin as he rubs his temples. ]
...That is right, isn’t it? Surely you would have donned a more ostentatious frock too, if it were a bit more accepted to do so. What might be your favorite part? The fur, the hammered gold, or perhaps that bright red scarf?
no subject
[He scowls, opening his eyes once more to get an eyeful of that hammy grin. Though, the temple rubbing certainly disrupts the threatening look, soothing it to mild irritation at worst.
After a moment, his expression settles into something less irritable, and he lets his eyes close once more. Quietly:]
...I do rather enjoy the fur, I suppose.
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[ And seals it with a kiss to his forehead.]
And how well it suits you. It makes you look very majestic, like a proper god of death. Feathers, perhaps, would be a nice accent.
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Oh? Well, I am no god, no more than you yourself are one. But I will not deny that feathers certainly look handsome on me.
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[ An impish smile spreads across his features. ]
You look handsome in a great many things.
[ he pauses, Considering ]
Let us find you a feathered vest perhaps.
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[Humble as ever, huh? The compliment gets shrugged off easily enough, as is his wont, but the mention of a feather vest, well...]
Now, do you mean a vest made of feathers, or one simply adorned with them? I confess, one sounds far more appealing than the other.
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[And that’s clearly just a little light-hearted teasing. He makes a thoughtful sound, weighing the options.]
I suppose I’ll have to make it to show you. Yet I cannot imagine it would be very comfortable to merely wear tied together feathers... plus the diminished structural stability!
...Or mayhap a lined cape.
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[He quips back with an amused snort.]
Wishing to indulge in some tailoring, hm? I suppose the Chief of the Bureau of the Architect would do well in such a profession pursuit. [a momentary pause] I would not oppose a cape. They are often handsome.